More disabled children is not 'good news'. A higher burden on the family or state w.r.t healthcare and education provision is not 'good news'.

Some days I think we like to 'out-do the Jones' in the neediness of our offspring... crazy.

Alex McGregor, Plymouth, UK

Some of these comments are horribly hard hearted, and show a failure of love and imagination. Any discrimination against the "disabled" is to be abhorred, surely?? Wouldn't the positive, loving solution be for us all to make the lives of the "disabled" as happy and supported as possible?

Donna G, Auckland, New Zealand

The bible says that Jesus said 'Suffer Little Children Unto Me' He did not say 'excluding the following'.. etc

All children deserve the right to love and care whether by families, local authorities, schools, neighbours or passers-by and society must ensure that ALL children are lovingly protected

mick reilly, Doncaster, England

My middle son is 9 years old and has DS, he's just one of my boys and our life's great fun. Society's still some way to go though and I meet the occasional pocket of ignorance, worryingly from professionals, and have huge difficulty accessing the support we're supposed to get.

Annabel T, Bristol,

Life with any child can be an enormous challenge. Nobody can tell you at birth what your child will turn into: a doctor, a lawyer, a drug addict, a lazy layabout. There are no guarantees in life and choosing not to have a child with Down's does not guarantee the perfect child or adult in future.

Katharina, Monmouth,

Learning disability is the last taboo, now that it is unpc to discriminate on grounds of race or colour, beliefs or physical disability, intelligence is the final hurdle.We need to reassess our notions of intelligence and using it to measure the 'worth' of a person in society.

Fiona Bedfordshire, Beds, UK

The Down's Syndrome Research Foundation has distributed 27,000 FREE copies of Bright Beginnings to all the hospitals in the UK. This wonderful booklet is filled with pictures, positive stories & important health information. See it online at: http://www.dsrf.co.uk/BB-2006/BrightBeginnings_3.pdf

Peter Elliott, High Wycombe, UK

I can take or leave the line 'caring' line - abortion is a personal decision for parents and I can't blame those who opt out of bringing up a child with Down's.

A factor not mentioned is that older mum's may not terminate a Down's pregnancy out of fear they won't conceive again.

Bob, Footscray, Australia

I have a son with Down's..He's 9 years old and he is the life and soul of the house...He is quite healthy with no signs of heart trouble....I could not imagine our life without him.we did not know he was Down's I was 29 years old when I had him..Of course I worry for the future!!

nic, bristol,

Most children I have met with Down's actually have quite a good quality of life and there are plenty of people who cost the NHS/ Tax payer a lot of money yet we don't cull them. If someone feels they can cope why shouldn't they have a disabled child and there is still the option to have an abortion

J, London,

People turning down abortions ? Gosh, what will all the feminist thugs,eugenics and euthanasia advocates in politics think of that ? Thank goodness for individuals.

Mark B, York, UK

I have a down syndrome teenager who is very content in her body, and who leads a fulfilling life. She's just as hard work as my 'normal' child (less so in some ways) and is much less troublesome at school than many of the low ability 'normal' students. Let's celebrate a diverse population, not moan

Kim, Cheshire, UK

I am totally dumbfounded by the negative comments some people have made here. In fact they make me sick in my stomach. All children are different, DS or not. My 5 year old daughter brings immense joy to all who know her, including her two big brothers. We are thankful that we have her.

Sarah Harris, Coventry, UK

And what will happen to the poor child in a competitive world when mum/dad can no longer care for it?
Babies grow up to be children. Children grow up to be adults. Life is hard enough for a "normal" person.

Jones, London,

i have a cousin with downs and my auntie and uncle live with the constant fear of what happens when they are gone. i really dont think it is fair to bring children like this into the world.

bob, wirral,

Pippa Notts "Some good news ." A friend was driven to near suicide by the strain of caring for her adult downs child. How can you say this is, 'good news.' Pre-natal tests are there for a reason,so that a woman can decide if she can cope with a disabled child. Be rational and leave God out. of it

karen, tonbridge,

It may be nice that we are more caring but how much are these kids costing us in special education needs?

The argance of some parents, I want a chiled and I dont care if its handycapped or not, I dotn care wether it has a poor quality of life, I just want a child.

MR Jones, Liverpool, England

The 1st thing a parent should ask themselves is would
i myself want to live in a down.s syndrome body ??.
With local authorities closing day centres and trying to put
the duty of care onto other bodies things are going to become
very different.

stephen, Blackpool, England

The "Greatest Joy" is having a "Child", like the "Old Marriage Vow's", for "Better or for Worse". From a "Grandad" who "So far has been "Fortunate? And is "Enjoying his "Grandchild "Plus Tantrum's", Enormously!!!!!

Paul, Manchester, UK

Some good news for a change. I don't think it should be automatic that a mother to be is offered screening for downs at all. Thank goodness there isn't a test for autism or the possiblity of a low IQ, they would be offering terminations for those conditions too.

Pippa, Notts, UK